A materials science and engineering (MSE) master's degree is a postgraduate degree that enables you to enhance your academic qualifications and skills to advance your career in an in-demand engineering specialization.

The graduate program in materials science and engineering provides a thorough grounding in the fundamental behavior of ceramics, composites, electronic materials, metals, and polymers. Emphasis is also given to the application of concepts and basic principles in the selection, design, processing, and use of engineering materials. Special topics courses are offered to complement the programs of graduate research. Research is primarily in the areas of nanostructured materials, biomaterials, composite materials, functional materials, materials processing, materials synthesis, electronic materials, and structural materials.

The minimum course requirement for the MS Degree is 45 credits. These 45 credits consist of six credits of core courses, 12 credits of selective core courses, and 18 credits of Technical Electives. The remaining nine credits shall depend on whether the student selects an MS thesis, an MS research proposal, or the non-thesis option.

MS Degree Requirements

Core Courses*

6 credits

Non-core Courses*

12 credits

Tech Electives Courses*

18 credits (minimum 9 credits of MSE courses, or research for an MSE or MSE affiliated faculty)

Of the 18 technical elective credits, at least nine must be taken within the MSE Department, while the rest may be taken within the College of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, or at other colleges, if consistent with the student's Plan of Study and given advance written approval by his/her Advisor. At least nine of these 18 elective credits must be exclusive of Independent Study courses or Research credits. Students may transfer no more than 15 credits (equivalent to 10 semester-credits) from approved institutions, provided they follow the rules and regulations described in the Drexel University Graduate Curricula.

There is no general exam required for MS students. If an MS student wants to continue for a PhD then: (a) s/he must be admitted to the PhD program (there is no guarantee that an MS student will be admitted to the PhD program), and (b) s/he must take the Candidacy Exam during the first term in which s/he is admitted to the PhD program.

Please explore our Web site for more information about our department and our program. If you are interested in visiting the department to meet one-on-one with faculty, students, and staff and to take a tour of our labs, please contact the Graduate Academic Program Coordinator.